Pain Relievers

We have all experienced it in our lives at one point or another -- pain. Whether it be from a headache, muscle pain, arthritis, injury or sickness, pain is a part of living. Isn't it better to deal with it properly? To do so, you must understand what types of pain relievers are readily available at the local drugstore, and more importantly, which are best for what type of pain. It is also important to check the side effects that are related to these seemingly harmless over-the-counter medications.

Remember that this guide is in NO way a substitute for professional medical advice. Everyone is different and may react adversely to certain drugs especially those under 12, over 65, pregnant women or those breastfeeding, or those with medical conditions. Always read the important information on the labels, including dosage and directions.

Please consult your doctor before purchasing or using any of the following medications.

Pain Reliever Types

Acetaminophen /Paracetamol HOW IT WORKS This is typically what we know and often refer to by the popular brand name, Tylenol .' It is a mild pain reliever that works by physically blocking pain signals going to the brain. Therefore, it gives a sensation that you are no longer in pain, but it does not have any anti-inflammatory properties. USES Helps relieve pain caused by minor headaches, fevers, injuries or rheumatic pain. It is found in many cold and flu remedies besides tablet form. Nearly everyone can use acetaminophen for their daily aches and pains without a problem, unless you know that you have a liver problem or problems with alcoholism. SIDE EFFECTS What you should know about this drug is that it can have adverse effects on the liver. It's not recommended for curing a hangover. BRANDS Tylenol ,Excedrin ,Panadol	Aspirin/Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) HOW IT WORKS By stopping the production of prostaglandins, which cause pain by irritating nerve endings, it reduces inflammation and swelling that causes the pain. Aspirin is the original NSAID. Ibuprofen, naproxen, and ketoprofen are of the newer variety of the drug. USES Relieves aches, pains, menstrual cramps, tooth aches, headaches, hangovers and fevers. Useful for treating arthritis and muscle pain or injuries, including strains and sprains. SIDE EFFECTS Aspirin may help reduce the risk of heart attacks and blood clot-related strokes. Newer NSAIDs, such as Ibuprofen, have been said to actually increase your risk of incurring a heart attack or stroke. May cause upset stomach, which is why it is not recommended for those who suffer from ulcers. To avoid upset stomach, they should be taken with food. Some studies have shown that aspirin and NSAIDs may increase your risks to develop acid reflux and cause internal bleeding in the upper intestinal tract, especially in seniors. BRANDS Aspirin Only Brands: Bayer ,St. Joseph  NSAID Brands: Ibuprofen ,Motrin ,Aleve ,Advil ,Ascriptin ,Anacin ,Orudis KT	Codeine HOW IT WORKS This controlled opiate substance acts inside the brain to alter its reaction and response to pain. USES This is a very potent, prescription painkiller meant primarily for those suffering from severe pain, caused by either disease or injury. Minimal amounts of this drug are also found in other medications, including cough suppressants and some over-the-counter painkillers like Tylenol with Codeine . SIDE EFFECTS This powerful narcotic can be addictive, cause drowsiness and loss of concentration. Do not use this drug while driving or operating heavy machinery. It is usually only available through a prescription. Recently there have been small doses included in some over-the-counter medicines, which has been known to be abused as a recreational drug. BRANDS Vicodin, Percocet, Percodan, Demerol	Topical Analgesic  HOW IT WORKS When applied topically to the skin, it can temporarily numb pain through absorption. Topical analgesics may come in gel, cream, liquid, balm, lozenge or spray form. Which you choose is usually a matter of convenience and where the painkiller will be used. USES Ideal for soothing aching muscles, sore joints and sports injuries. Some are acceptable for relieving pain caused by toothaches and canker and cold sores. Not suitable for headaches, hangovers or serious injuries. SIDE EFFECTS There is no chance of addiction or overdose related to this type of pain relief. Skin allergies are a possibility as well as irritation. Be careful to check ingredient listings to make sure you don't have an allergy to any active or inactive ingredients in the product. BRANDS Blue-Emu ,BIOFreeze ,BenGay ,Aspercreme ,Sportscreme ,Vick's ,Halls ,Anbesol ,Icy Hot

When Choosing Pain Killers

Besides what you are using a pain killer for, you probably also want to consider how easy it is to take and how much it will cost.

Form, Shape, and Size

There are numerous forms of pain killers available over the counter, from capsules, to tablets, to gel-coated forms and more. Usually tablets are the easiest to swallow since they are small and round. They can also be split or crushed before ingestion to make them more convenient to take. Capsules tend to be larger, which may be harder to swallow.

Price

Like with most health and beauty products, the most important thing to remember is that the ingredients are the what matter, not the brand name. Generic over-the-counter pain killers have shown to provide just as much pain relief as more expensive brands. Don't buy gargantuan bottles of pain relievers if you have never tried the brand before. Make sure that you don't have any allergies or adverse reactions to the drug. Then later you can save money by buying in bulk if desired.

Children and Pain Relief

For children, chewables, effervescents and liquid elixirs are easy to give and to regulate pain relief. Plus they don't pose any choking risk. For very young children, drops can be useful in administering pain killers because you can regulate dosage precisely. Please see the "External Links" section for more information about pain killers and the side effect that they pose for children.

External Links

• Acetaminophen
• WebMD.com: Tylenol and its links to sudden liver failure from December 2005.
• Nlm.nih.gov: Some information by MedlinePlus about acetaminophen, including dosing and lists of brands.
• Epinions.com: Post drinking headache relief. Why Tylenol is not the best choice.
• Aspirin
• Parade.com: A former medical student talks about aspirin, hangovers, dosing, side effects, and the gastrointestinal risks associated with using aspirin and NSAIDs.
• MayoClinic.com: NSAIDs and negative gastrointestinal side effects.
• WebMD.com: An article about how most pain killers increase the risk for heart disease and stroke from 2005.
• Annals.org: A study by the Annals of Internal Medicine about the increased risk of heart attacks from NSAIDs in people over 65.
• BayerAsperin.com: Their fact sheet about aspirin.
• Children
• CNN.com
• TheArc.org: Information about Reye's Syndrome.
• Wikipedia.org: An article about Reye's Syndrome.
• General
• FamilyDoctor.org: A very good article on OTC medicines and how they work, including discussions on topics such as side effects in seniors, children, pregnant women, and more.
• MayoClinic.com: General information about the different types of pain relievers.
• Alcoholism.About.com: Alcoholism and using painkillers.
• Pediatrics.About.com: Tylenol vs. Motrin for children with a fever.
• Choice.com.au: A detailed, but fairly easy to read guide to buying pain killers.
• CancerHelp.org.uk: Painkiller advice for cancer patients.
• Vaughns-1-pagers.com: Pain Killer Comparison Chart
• Wikipedia.org: The step ladder of painkillers.
• Relief for Different Types of Pain
• FamilyDoctor.org: Exercises and tips for managing back pain.
• Backpain.Realage.com: Information about painkillers, plus exercises to do for relieving back pain.